A modern take on a Marty Robbins classic.
Released in 1962, “Devil Woman” was the title track of his album from that year and would become his seventh number-one single. This song highlights the western swing side of Robbins’ sound with a little bit of Latin flare. While it isn’t as well known as “Saddle Tramp” or “Big Iron” from his catalog, if you know Robbins, you know that this one is an absolutely timeless track.
Drake Milligan poses a modern twist on the track during his “Living Room Sessions.” The Texas native set up his full band in a cozy home living room to shoot some songs promoting his newest project, Jukebox Songs. While this EP perfectly blends the classic country sound with his Texas roots, it only made sense to highlight a few covers while they were playing the new material as well.
I am obsessed with his take on “Devil Woman.”
“Here’s an old song from one of my favorite singers of all-time. Mr. Marty Robbins.”
As he kicks off the song with the soft strums of just his acoustic, Milligan lets his rich vocals coat listeners’ ears before the band kicks in. During the chorus, you see his range as he jumps up a few octaves as he sings about needing to get away from this evil woman.
“Oh, devil woman
Devil woman, let go of me
Devil woman, let me be
And leave me alone
I want to go home…”
Every time I hear Milligan cover an older song, I become more and more convinced that he was a country star back in the ’60s and now in a twenty-five-year-old’s body. His silky smooth twangs combined with this love for the traditional sound and his suave while performing… it’s a perfect storm.
If you like Marty Robbins the slightest bit, you will love this cover. Fire it up.